Search trip reports
20251008_130818.jpg

Trip Report    

Basic Rock Climb - Liberty Bell/Southwest Face

An incredible fall day at Washington Pass—crisp air, golden larches in full transition, and a stellar climb up Liberty Bell. We ascended via the Becky Route, enjoying four pitches of classic 5.6 terrain, capped off with a couple of scenic rappels. Couldn’t have asked for a better way to soak in the season.

Doug Brittain Doug Brittain
October 15, 2025
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • Conditions Summary – Liberty Bell, Becky Route (Oct 8)
    Dry rock throughout the route with no snow or water present. Despite recent precipitation, the climb was completely dry and in excellent condition. Cold morning temps but clear skies and calm summit winds made for a stellar day.

Five intrepid climbers—three students and two instructors—rallied at the Blue Lake Trailhead at 7:00 AM, bundled up and buzzing with anticipation. The goal: Liberty Bell via the classic Becky Route. After a quick gear shuffle and pep talk, we hit the trail at 7:30, greeted by brisk temps in the 30s and a golden sea of larches lighting up the valley like fall fireworks.
The hike to the climbing trail took about an hour, with plenty of “oohs” and “ahhs” for the views and a well-earned snack and layer break. Spirits were high, fingers slightly numb, and the larches? Absolutely showing off.
At the base of the gully, we found a cozy flat spot to suit up—helmets, harnesses, and a few last sips of water. Knowing the base of the climb might be breezy, we streamlined our transitions to keep the cold from creeping in. By 9:30, we reached the base of the pitches, and by 10:00, the first group of three was off the ground, followed by the second team of two.20251008_095134.jpg
The rock was cold but dry—thankfully no lingering snow or moisture from recent storms. The Becky Route delivered its usual mix of fun and flow across four pitches of 5.6 fun. Both teams topped out around 1:00 PM to calm winds, mostly clear skies, and a few photogenic clouds drifting by. We snacked, hydrated, and soaked in the summit vibes.20251008_110859.jpgIMG-20251008-WA0158 (002).jpg
After 30 minutes of summit lounging, we began our descent. The first rappel went smoothly, and we doubled up ropes for the second station to get all five climbers down to the notch efficiently. By 2:30, the ropes were coiled and the team was back on the descent trail.20251008_141747.jpg

With perfect weather and no rush, we meandered down, scanning the slopes for mountain goats and savoring the afternoon warmth. We reached the cars at 4:30 PM—9 hours car-to-car, with smiles all around.
Trip Highlights:
• Cold start, warm finish
• Dry rock despite recent precipitation
• Larches in peak form
• Smooth team transitions and efficient rappels
• Summit serenity and goat-spotting on descent
Pro Tip: Fall climbers beware—this trail is a magnet for larch lovers. Expect company and plan your timing accordingly